Lorde surprised her New York City fans with a special version of “Girl, So Confusing” – plus a possible new song, turning her first Governors Ball set in nearly a decade into a blue-hued, emotionally charged celebration of past, present, and whatever new era may be waiting just around the corner.

Stream: “What Was That” – Lorde

A new start for Lorde is imminent, or at least fans think so. 

Lorde was one of the headliners at Governors Ball Music Festival in New York City, taking the stage after chart-topping performers like Katseye, Baby Keem, The Dare, Audrey Hobert, and Pierce the Veil.

I was lucky enough to see the artist at Kilby Block Party a few weeks ago, so I spotted a few differences in the setlist right away. The visuals felt different but still in the same blue-hued universe as Virgin. But the first song she started with was, as far as I know, unreleased.

“Don’t look for me now that I’m gone,” she sang in the new track.

She bumped up “What Was That” earlier in the set, technically the third song right after “Royals,” which was an interesting choice. I think it helped keep the momentum going and definitely helped the set feel less like a Virgin-specific performance and more of a “Best of Lorde” performance.

For a festival audience it’s definitely the safer route, and for an artist with such a huge discography it’s probably even preferred by die-hard fans. I, personally, prefer more Melodrama and Solar Power anyway so it worked for me.

I guess time will tell if she’ll keep this set for future festivals like All Things Go.

“A place in the city,
A chair and a bed,
I cover up all the mirrors,
I can’t see myself yet.
I wear smoke like a wedding veil,
Make a meal I won’t eat.
Step out into the street, alone in a sea
It comes over me.”

– “What Was That,” Lorde

Before starting “The Louvre,” Lorde took a moment to say hi to her fans, obviously mentioning the hot, humid, quintessentially summer weather. That’s her preferred environment for songwriting, she said, especially when she has a crush on someone.

Prior to “Liability,” the songwriter got even more vulnerable about showing herself with “all the broken bits” and “jagged edges.” If we all do that, maybe we’ll actually start going somewhere. Then, she projected videos of her younger self onto her chest.

There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

There was a one-sided version of “Girl, so confusing,” which was really exciting and unexpected! As a huge Charli xcx fan I’m always rooting for a cameo, but I figured that would be a long shot.

Overall, it was exactly what fans expect from a Lorde set: equal parts energized and exciting yet cathartic and emotional. Lorde also always feels oddly specific and relatable.

In fact, it’s been nine years since Lorde last played at the New York City music festival, and she asked the crowd about the differences between then and now.

“To me, the world is unrecognizable compared to where we were in 2017,” she told the crowd. “There’s a loss of dignity that I feel. Our world feels increasingly unjust. And it feels harder and harder to arrive at your own definitions of beauty and truth and what is real.”

That’s the reality for a lot of people – the world feels more expensive and, well, harder.

Maybe it’s from getting older, maybe it’s a “grass is always greener” thing.

In times like these, fleeting moments where you can lose yourself and dance and cry and sing are precious. And Lorde felt it, too.

“I really feel this is real, all of us in this field,” Lorde added.

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 © Ismael Quintanilla III

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